By Nick Butler

Rival legs of the Winter Olympic Torch Relay have been taking place in Dubai and India ©AFP/Getty ImagesJanuary 30 - A row is developing between Russia and Dubai following the promotion of a "rival" Olympic Torch Relay travelling around Asia. 


According to the website 7daysindubai, the Torch was on show today at four locations in the emirate, including the InterContinental promenade at Dubai Festival Tower and the iconic Burj Khalifa fountain area - where it was advertised that visitors can "snap pics alongside some of Dubai's landmarks".

The Torch, 95 centimetres tall and painted red to represent the "traditional colour" of Russian sport, is due to be in Dubai today before travelling to India ahead of arrival in Sochi for the Opening Ceremony of the Games on February 7. 

But the "rival" event has been lambasted by Government officials as well as Games organisers, who say their four-month, 65,000-kilometre journey across Russia is the only real Relay, in comparison with what has been branded an "amateur show" in Dubai.

The actual Sochi 2014 Torch Relay has been taking place over the last four months and has been touring Chechnya in recent days ©Sochi 2014The actual Sochi 2014 Torch Relay has been taking place over the last four months and has been touring Chechnya in recent days ©Sochi 2014




"The Relay takes place in the host country for the Games," Sochi 2014 Torch Relay spokesman Roman Osin told R-Sport, before adding that "any other Relays are illegitimate".

Osin suggested that Games organisers will "probably" push for some form of investigation or legal proceedings,but considered it too early to provide specific details.

However, the Russian Foreign Ministry has already weighed in, informing RIA Novosti that "the General Consulate of Russia in Dubai is informed of the events and is working on this issue".

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]